So who is deceiving whom? The information sent "up top" is one thing, while the real situation on the ground is entirely different. A clash of opposing views. Is this what the local executive leadership is really like—the very people who are supposed to serve as a “golden bridge” between the people and the government? Is sending embellished reports upward, pretending everything is fine, and brushing things off with, “the sea will be full any moment now,” really the solution? If the ongoing efforts yield no results, then why hide from the problem instead of sounding the alarm? Who benefits from burying their head in the sand and turning a blind eye? Why are the mass media—who are supposed to be the voice and eyes of the people—silent? Why don't the representatives of the fourth estate—journalists—verify the accuracy of the information being reported? The situation with the Aral is not just an environmental issue; it’s a matter of national fate. With sugarcoated reports, false figures, and staged showcases, there’s no path to the future.